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Letters Patent .N 94,356, dated August 31, 1869.

IMPRVEMENT IN POTATO-DIGG-ER.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

`will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the samerefercnce being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specilication, in which- Figure l is a top or plan View of my improved potato-digger and picker.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same, taken through the line x x, fig. l.

Figure 8 is a detail vertical cross-section of the same,

taken through the line y y, fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention has 'for its object to furnish an irnproved 'potato-digger, which shall be strong, simplein construction, and eli'ective in operation, and which shallat the same time, screen the potatoes and deposit them in a basket or other receptacle, suspended at the rear of the machine; and

It consists in the construction and combination of the various parts of the machine, as hereinafter more fully described.

A is the frame of the machine, to the side bars of which, a little in front of the middle partl are attached brackets B, to which are securely and rigidly attached the inner ends of the axles C, upon which the wheels l) revolve. This "construction, by enabling me to dis` pense with along axle, enables 1ne to bring the revolving screen forward, so as to shorten the machine, and bring it int-o more convenient dimensions.

To one of the wheelsD is securely attached, or upon it is formed a large geauwheel, E, the teeth of which mesh into the teeth of a smaller gear-wheel, F, attached to the outer end of the shaft G, which revolves in bearings attached to the frame A. To the inner end of the shaft Gis attached a bevelgear wheel, H, the teeth of which mesh into-the teeth of he bevel-gear wheel I, attached to the forward end of the shaft J, which works in bearings attached to the middle parts of the cross-bars a1 and a2 of the frame A.

K is the screen, which is rigidly connected with the shaft J, so as to be carried with said shaft in its regolution.

The body of screen K is made cylindrical in form, and is formed of longitudinal tubes k1, extending from end to end of the screen. By making the bars or rods k1 tubular, I am enabled to make them sufficiently light, and, at the same time, of suitable size and strength.

The forward ends of the tubular bars kl are attached to an inwardly-projecting ange, formed upon the inner edge of the rim or band k, to whiclrilange are also attached the arms or spokes, -by means of which the forward end of the screen K is supported and connected with the shaft J.

The rear ends of the tubes k1 are attached to au inwardly-projecting flange, formed upon the inner edge of the rim or band k, to which flange arealsoattached the ends of the arms or spokes, by which the rearend of the screen is supported and connected with the shaft J.

The rim or band k3 isformed with another inwardlyprojecting ange, kf, which is made considerablydeeper than the inner flange, so as to prevent the potatoes from escaping from the rear end of the screen, which should be enough lower than the forward end to cause the potatoes to roll back from the forward to the rear end of said screen, as' it revolves, the soil that may have adhered to or been raised with .said potatoes passing through the said screen and falling upon the ground. Y

Upon the inner end or concave surface ofthe band or rim k3 are formed buckets ks, which take upthe potatoes and drop them into the spout or chute L, down which they flow to the basket M, or other receptacle prepared to receive them.

The basket M may be an ordinary basket, detacha-` bly suspended from brackets attached to the spout L, or to the frame of the machine.

The spout Lishould be attached to the frame of the machine, so asto remain stationary while the screen revolves.

The rear end of the machine may be supported by a caster-wheel or wheels, which should be made adjustable, so that a greater or less inclination may be given to the screen, as may be desired or necessary.

N is the plow-plate, scoop, orshovelby which the potatoes and soilare raised from the ground, and which is made with fianged side edges, to preventthe potatoes from working off at its sides, and is slotted, as is' shown in g. l, so that the loose soil may escape through said slots, while the potatoes and remaining soil pass up into the revolving screen K.

The rear end of the plow-plate N ispivoted to the lower ends of the bars or arms O, the upper en ds of whclp are securely attached to the cross-bar a1 ofthe frame A, in such positions that the rear endof the said plow-plate may guide the potatoes and soil into the screen K, and in such a manner that lthe forward end of the said plow-platc may be raised or lowered, according to the depth to which it is desired to have the said plowplate enter'tbe ground.4

lo the sides of the plow-plate N are pivoted the lower ends of the stirrup or connecting-bar P, the up-` per end or ends of which is 0r are pivoted to the end of the lever Q.

Y hounds W, which v a3 ofthe frame A.

The lever Qis pivoted 'to ausn'pport, R, attached to the frame A, and its free fend. or handle passes through a. guide-slot in the Vbar.1orposnS, and is secured in place when adjusted rby a pin passing through one or 'the otherof the holes in the said slotted post, and4 through a hole in the said lever, so as to hold `the plow-plate securely in place' while at work.

The particular Parrangement of the lever Q, and of, the bar or bars by which itis connected .with the plowplate N, is entirely immaterial, and may be such that .l the said levermay have -a vertical position, for convenience in operating it.

lI is a scraper, whichA is a curved vertical plat/e'- slotted along its lower edge, as shown in gs. 1 and 2, to forni prongs or tines,.to remove the stalk, weeds,- and other rubbish in front of theplow-plate N'.

The scraper T is adj ustably connected to the front cross-bar. a of the frame A, by means of screws or' bolts passing through the slottedv arms t, the lower ends of which are attached` to the said scraper T, so

, thatl it may be adjusted in a higher or lower position,

asthe circumstances ofthe case may require. i

Vis the tongue, whichis pivotedto and below. the are attached to the' front cross-bar To the rear end. ofthe tongue V is'rigidly attached a curved rack, X, into the-teeth of which enters the forward end of the keyor stop Y, which passes through a hole in the front cross-bar a5' of the frame A. This enables the pitch or inclination vof the machine to be controlled-'by the' tongue V. ,y

'Zs lthe. driver/s seat, which is supported from the I frame A by suitable supports, and is provided with a foot-rest, in the ordinarymanner'.

Having thus described. my invention, I clairnas new,.and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- The revolving cylindrical screen K-forrmed 'by thecombinalion lof the tubular side bars k1, bands or rims k2 k, and shaft J, `when used in connection with the frame and gearing of a potato-digger, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the buckets R5, with the interior surface of the anged band or rim lo, at the rear end of the revolving screen K, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the spout or chute L, with th buckets t5, rear end of the revolving screenK, and frame A, substantially1 as herein shown and described,

and for the purpose set forth.

4. The tubular screen, back-head, and loose front head, constructed and arranged together as described, to allow the latter to be slipped back from the revolving' cylinder or screen.

' 5. The arrangement` in relation to the other parts of the inside elevator, for the purpose of raising theY potatoesin the manner set forth.

6. The arrangement ofthe adjustable hinge at the back end of the plow, for the purpose of raising or lowering it,'to suit the mouth of' the revolving screen.

Witnesses: HG1-:Enne Comms,

J Mms T. GRAHAM; 

